Knoettgen named CCCC president

Cloud County Community College interim president Amber Knoettgen will have the interim removed from her title as of December 1.
The college board of trustees, during its regular meeting on Tuesday night, approved appointing Knoettgen the institution’s ninth president.
Knoettgen, who also serves as the vice president for administrative services, was appointed interim president in May after the board voted to not renew the contract of then president Dr. Adrian Douglas.
The decision to appoint Knoettgen as full-time president, with the contract running from December 1, 2020 until June 30, 2022, was made after the board of trustees met in two separate executive sessions, totaling 30 minutes, for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel.
“I am honored that the board has chosen me to lead the college as its next president,” Knoettgen said. “Over the past six months I’ve been continually inspired by the Cloud team and their resiliency. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to continue moving Cloud in a positive direction.”
A 2000 graduate of Cloud County with an associate of science degree, Knoettgen received a bachelor of science degree and master of business administration degree from Baker University.
Knoettgen was hired as the director of advisement and retention at Cloud County in July of 2016. In November of 2017 she was named the vice president of administrative services. She has managed the college’s budget and is responsible for the business office, auxiliary services, information technology, facilities, the Children’s Center, athletics, human resources and community relations.
“Amber has done an outstanding job serving as interim president in addition to continuing her duties as vice president for administrative services,” CCCC board of trustees chairman Jesse Pounds said. “She has shown strong leadership in managing the college during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as preparing for the Higher Learning Commission accreditation visit. She comes to us with an impressive skill set in both student services and administrative services. The board is excited to work with her to lead the college as our next president.
Prior to accepting a position at Cloud County, Knoettgen began working in higher education at Baker University as the marketing coordinator. She also served in the position of student advisor specialist, Topeka Campus director and enrollment specialist.
Knoettgen said she plans to continue to foster a culture of trust, respect and open communication with all of the college faculty and staff as well as the board of trustees.
“I believe in this institution and the rural communities we serve; those cannot be separated if we all want to be successful,” Knoettgen said. “This area is exactly where I wanted to raise my family. Cloud has many opportunities for growth, along with the faculty and staff to make that happen. We will continue to make Cloud the college of choice in North Central Kansas.”
In other action taken during the meeting, the board approved the recommended tuition, fees and housing rates for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The college administration recommended no changes in the tuition, fees or housing rates because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in enrollment.
Because of the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Cloud County in recent months, the board approved a resolution supporting public health efforts to mitigate disease spread within the community.
The resolution was first introduced and passed by the Concordia city commission. The Cloud County board of commissioners and the Unified School District 333 board of education have also approved the resolution.
Also approved by the board were the Policy/Procedure F7 and a resolution adopting the Kansas Homeland Security Region I Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Personnel matters included in the consent items approved by the board included the hiring of Morgan Cool to the position of book store manager on a full-time, KPERS covered professional services contract, effective December 8.
Cool, a 2014 graduate of Glasco High School, received a bachelor of science degree in technology, with an emphasis in digital media, from Pittsburg State University.
Also included in the consent items were the contract renewal of head volleyball coach Deb Monzon and the early retirement request of head women’s track and field coach Ted Schmitz, effective July 1, 2021.
Schmitz is in his 39th season of coaching track and field at Cloud County. He has been named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year three times and the Region VI Coach of the Year eight times.
During her president’s report, Knoettgen reported to the board that students have just five more in-person class days.
Students will return home for Thanksgiving break and finish the semester online in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“I view this as a huge success for the college, to be able to remain face-to-face the entire semester,” Knoettgen said. “It has been a college-wide effort, including those students, by adhering to our safety protocols.”
Knoettgen reported that the college has had a total of 44 positive COVID-19 cases on campus since school started in August. That includes students, faculty and staff. There are currently 10 active.
“Although these numbers seem scary, I feel the college has done a really good job,” Knoettgen said.